Sheffield United have confirmed the double signing of defenders Andy Butler and Chris Basham.

The defensive duo will become Nigel Clough's third and fourth summer signings when they arrive on July 1 from respective clubs Walsall and Blackpool.
Former Walsall captain Butler spent almost four years at the Bescot Stadium while Basham, who can also operate in midfield, made more than 80 appearances during a similar period at Blackpool.
The new arrivals will join fellow signings Marc McNulty and Jamal Campbell-Ryce at Bramall Lane as the Blades prepare to mount a promotion challenge in League One next season.

17 year old Venera Rexhi, born and raised in Sweden has decided to leave her team Borens IK and instead sign a contract with Linköpings FC. Venera has been on trial with LFC a couple of times before and also practiced with them once a week. They play in Damallsvenskan, the highest division for women in Sweden and the team also happens to be Kosovare Asllani's former team. One of Venera's rolemodels has always been Swedish striker miss Asllani so she is thrilled to be playing in the same team as Asllani once did.

I know somebody on here is an Ipswich supporter. We all have our problems...

29th of this month they are playing a friendly at Roots Hall.
Southend didn't score many goals last season.
Please let us score.
Maybe knock in an own goal.
Our defence was lousy too, and we've just added another donkey to the back row.

Southend can at least boast that they have the orangist manager in the world.

please...I think he's embarrassed by this season's signings.

I think his "problem" is similar to America's problem with Vietnam...not wanting to repeat the same mistake, and then proceeding to make a worse one.

Steve Tilson who took Southend into the Championship spent money. By most top clubs' standards not that much but he nearly broke the bank and he couldn't pay the players in the end. Now nobody wants to spend money and we scrounge around looking for unwanted players at the end of their contracts. The main qualification to rise from the youth team into the first team is having an 18th birthday.

Sheffield United have launched a pioneering new scheme designed to provide youngsters with an alternative route into professional football, writes James Shield.
Nick Cox, manager of the League One club’s Redtooth Academy, last night announced it has entered into partnership with Sheffield College to launch an elite two year programme which offers students a chance to gain recognised vocational qualifications as well as develop their technical skills with coaches from Bramall Lane.
Called ‘A United Future’, the programme bears similarities to the type of scheme which saw Britt Assombalonga, who later commanded a £1m transfer fee, offered terms by Watford.
Confirming the course forms part of his plan to focus on working with local rather than foreign players, Cox said: “We are dedicated to the development of home grown talent. This programme is a key part of our overall player development strategy at the club.
“Whilst there is a growing trend of academies importing foreign players, our strategy is to exhaust Sheffield and the surrounding areas before looking further afield.”
“The programme will give players a route back into the professional game with the opportunity for some gifted students to play for the first team,” Cox added. “There are lots of talented youngsters who, for one reason or another, haven’t succeeded first time around and this offers them a second chance at success.”
United, who were recently ranked by the Premier League as boasting the eighth most productive academy in England, count the likes of Phil Jagielka, Kyle Walker, Kyle Naughton and Matthew Lowton among its graduates.
Heather Smith, Sheffield College’s executive director and Principal of Hillsborough College, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Sheffield United. This is an exciting new opportunity for promising young athletes, some of whom may obtain a professional contract or agree terms at a semi-professional club on successful completion of the programme.
“It offers the chance to improve their performance but the course also equips students with the broader vocational knowledge and skills needed for a career in the football, leisure and sports industries, as well as the chance to go onto further study at degree level course at college or university.”
Applicants, aged 16-18, have to attend practical trials and pass an interview before being offered a place. The next trials are on July 12, 20 and 26. Email anthony.tunstall@sufc.co.uk for more information.
Students will study for a BTEC Diploma in Sport, Performance and Excellence at Level 3 – equivalent to two A Levels - at Hillsborough College, Livesey Street.

A last minute header from skipper Neill Collins secured a memorable win for the Blades against Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Substitute Collins turned home from a corner in the 90th minute to complete a comeback for United.
Slick Fenerbahce took an early lead on a wet night at Bramall Lane where their supporters made a big impression.
Cameroon’s World Cup striker Pierre Webo powered home a header from a Caner Erkin cross 13 minutes into the friendly clash.
And soon after flares were lit in the away section, bringing a taste of Istanbul to S2.
Chris Porter levelled for United in the 75th minute with a close range header in an enthralling clash in front of almost 13,000 people.
The striker pounced to nod home after a cross from youngster Louis Reed, who continued his impressive pre-season form.
Andy Butler almost headed United in front from an early corner while Louis Reed saw a shot blocked after good work from Jamal Campbell-Ryce as the Blades tried to draw level.
Webo drew a superb save from Mark Howard as the half drew on while last ditch defending denied the Blades after Chris Porter rounded Turkish national keeper Volkan Demirel.
Howard was once again at his best to deny Moussa Sow with a fantastic reflex stop early in the second half.
Marc McNulty put a header straight at Demirel from a Campbell-Ryce delivery before Howard was called into action again, stretching to parry a Sow shot wide of the post.
Fenerbahce named a strong starting eleven for the game with the likes of Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves and Demirel all featuring.
James Wallace made his first appearance on the home side’s team sheet after recovering from injury while Ryan Flynn returned to Nigel Clough’s side.
United: Howard, Flynn, Butler, McGahey, Davies, Doyle, Reed, McGinn, Porter, Campbell-Ryce, McNulty.
Subs: Willis, Alcock, Harris, Wallace, Crawford, Murphy, Basham, Dimaio, De Girolamo.
Fenerbache: Demirel, Irtegun, Topal, Sow, Webo, Ribas, Meireles, Belozoglu, Alves, Gonul, Erkin.
Subs: Gunok, Taskiran, Kaldirim, Holmen, Degirmencioglu, Baroni, Ergul, Akarslan, Sahin, Kadlec, Potuk, Topuz, Kesimal, Cinemre
Att: 12,950

Took my lads to the Fenerbahce game along with the brother and his son. Great night out and a good look at many of Mr Clough's new signings, despite the fact that the concessions ran out of pies.
My first rendition of the greasy chip butty song this season and a great evenings entertainment. United were playing a bit too deep first half. A precaution no doubt as the young athletic Turks showed some quality pace and skills. As the second half went on, United began to display more confidence and belief, with a great result in the end. Kids happy anyway.